Buyer

Karman Space & Defense; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Health Savings Account

Company-paid life and AD&D insurance

Short-term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Karman Space & Defense is seeking a seasoned procurement professional to manage supplier relationships and drive strategic sourcing for aerospace programs in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

You will help secure materials and services, coordinate delivery, and mitigate supply risks to keep programs on schedule. A DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one is required, with opportunities in a robust defense portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably within space, aerospace, or defense industries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (MS Office), including Excel and Outlook.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships.
• Proven time management skills, including managing multiple priorities and maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical practices and high attention to detail.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Responsibilities

• Builds strong partnerships with internal and external suppliers to support program and production needs.
• Coordinates delivery schedules and monitors supplier performance to ensure alignment with program timelines.
• Leads regular tag-ups with suppliers to review open orders, identify bottlenecks, and address delivery risks.
• Tracks market trends and monitors material availability within the supply chain.
• Conducts Manufacturing Readiness Reviews with suppliers to evaluate production capacity, quality performance, and contractual compliance.
• Supports supply chain risk mitigation by assessing supplier strengths and weaknesses and developing contingency plans.
• Processes purchase requisitions to issue purchase orders and manages part delivery tracking.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Attention to detail

Ethical practices

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Outlook

Epicor ERP

Job description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.This role is part of our Hypersonics and Strategic Missile Defense business, which designs, develops, and delivers highly dependable missile systems for hypersonic and strategic missile defense missions. We provide integrated, mission-ready hardware that brings together multiple technologies into unified systems engineered to perform in demanding operational environments. Our tip-to-tail capabilities include payload protection and deployment systems, propulsion systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, separation systems, missile subsystems, shroud systems, launch systems, and payload integration solutions.In this role, you will help secure the materials, components, and services essential for advanced aerospace and defense programs. You will manage supplier relationships, drive strategic sourcing, and support production and development efforts in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment. Your work will ensure material readiness, mitigate supply risks, and maintain steady progress toward program goals.

Responsibilities

• Builds strong partnerships with internal and external suppliers to support program and production needs.
• Coordinates delivery schedules and monitors supplier performance to ensure alignment with program timelines.
• Leads regular tag-ups with suppliers to review open orders, identify bottlenecks, and address delivery risks.
• Tracks market trends and monitors material availability within the supply chain.
• Conducts Manufacturing Readiness Reviews with suppliers to evaluate production capacity, quality performance, and contractual compliance.
• Supports supply chain risk mitigation by assessing supplier strengths and weaknesses and developing contingency plans.
• Processes purchase requisitions to issue purchase orders and manages part delivery tracking.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing, preferably within space, aerospace, or defense industries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (MS Office), including Excel and Outlook.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships.
• Proven time management skills, including managing multiple priorities and maintaining attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical practices and high attention to detail.
• A current U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Epicor Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) experience.
• 10 or more years of experience in supplier management or supply chain administration.
• Experience in the space and defense industry.

Travel

• Occasional travel up to 10%.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contributionFlexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.